Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky division has been awarded a $10.855 billion contract to build up to 99 CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps, according to the company.
The five-year agreement, the largest single order for the type to date, consolidates aircraft Lots 9 through 13 and covers deliveries between 2029 and 2034. Sikorsky said the deal will stabilise its nationwide supply chain, supporting thousands of jobs across 37 U.S. states and involving 267 suppliers, along with 17 international partners from eight countries.
Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager, said the contract reflected confidence in the company’s ability to deliver. “This award reflects trust and confidence in Sikorsky to deliver these technologically advanced, heavy-lift helicopters that will revolutionise the Marine Corps’ operational capabilities by adding unrivalled power, performance, survivability and dependability to the fleet,” he stated. Benton added that the multi-year structure would “drive long-term affordability, optimise production efficiencies and stabilise our supply chain and workforce.”
Colonel Kate Fleeger, Program Manager for the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopter Program Office (PMA-261), described the contract as “a huge ‘win’ for the entire CH-53K team.” She said bundling orders would enable better supplier pricing and “give us the ability to provide dependable delivery to the fleet and a consistent and predictable timeline for the transition from the CH-53E to the CH-53K.”
So far, 20 CH-53Ks have been delivered to the Marine Corps, with 63 more in production across Lots 4 to 8. The Corps’ long-term programme of record calls for 200 aircraft. The platform reached full-rate production in December 2022.
Sikorsky highlighted that the CH-53K is designed to meet Marine Corps requirements for moving troops, supplies, and heavy equipment in contested environments, while maintaining survivability and reliability. The contract also allows the U.S. government to allocate aircraft for potential international customers.
Wow, Wow and thrice WOW.
Just Imagine the UK ordering such numbers.
Of anything.
Industrial considerations are more important to HMG for me, so no, we wouldn’t, too much money gets effectively siphoned off by other factors.
Would we get 99 of those for that money ordered direct from the US? I believe they rightly give better deals for their own military?
The US military spend dwarfs others, even it’s Black Budget is higher than most nations defence budget.
A more realistic comparison would be with the likes of Japan, Italy, France, Germany, South Korea.
And yep, they all have lots more assets than we do, though there are other factors involved for most of those as well.
Living g in the realms of fantasy, wouldn’t purchasing 44 helicopters by whomever to replace Puma be something. Anytime this year might just be the topping on the cake.
It would, mate.
44, I’d be amazed.
20 something at the most I fear.
I’d be happy with 30 though, as Brueni and Cyprus requirement rightly removed.
I thought the Merlin was big.
These are impressive beasts.
Ah but it all depends on what scale.
I have a great 1:12 Lynx, Its way bigger than my 1:72 Puma.
I think that comparing Chopper size is a bit Infantile but I do like a bit of boasting !
Girth, not length.
There must be a lot of work involved getting these up and staying Up for long periods of time.
😄
This is the most-read Defence news website in the UK, for heaven’s sake!
Yep….all enquiries to Halfwit!
Ah but this is just the comments section, nobody takes anything serious here.
Thank God it’s not the UK buying such an amount of US kit.
We are already deep enough in the swamp.